System and Method to Modulate Phrenic Nerve to Prevent Sleep Apnea

Abstract

An implantable medical device for treating breathing disorders such as central sleep apnea wherein stimulation is provided to the phrenic never through a transvenous lead system with the stimulation beginning after inspiration to extend the duration of a breath and to hold the diaphragm in a contracted condition.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of prolonging breath in a patient having a diaphragm innervated by a phrenic nerve and a vein near the phrenic nerve, the method comprising:
 implanting a stimulation electrode in a vein of a patient proximate the phrenic nerve;   measuring respiration of the patient to find the inspiration phase of a breath; and   stimulating the phrenic nerve via the stimulation electrode after the beginning of the inspiration phase, said stimulation magnitude being sufficient to still the diaphragm resulting in a substantial amount of air trapped in at least one lung.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further characterized by said stimulation beginning at a time after peak of the inspiration phase. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further characterized by said stimulation duration being sufficient to delay expiration. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: repeating measuring and stimulation steps for selected breaths. 
     
     
         5 . A method of prolonging breath in a patient having a diaphragm innervated by a phrenic nerve and a vein near the phrenic nerve, the method comprising:
 implanting a stimulation electrode in a vein of a patient proximate the phrenic nerve;   measuring respiration of the patient to find the inspiration phase of a breath; and   stimulating the phrenic nerve via the stimulation electrode after the beginning of the inspiration phase, said stimulation duration exceeding a natural expiration phase of breath.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  further characterized by said stimulation beginning at a time after peak of the inspiration phase. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5  further characterized by said stimulation duration being sufficient to prevent apnea. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising: repeating measuring and stimulation steps for selected breaths. 
     
     
         9 . A method of reducing breathing rate in a patient having a diaphragm innervated by a phrenic nerve and a vein near the phrenic nerve, the method comprising:
 implanting a stimulation electrode in a vein of a patient proximate the phrenic nerve;   measuring respiration of the patient to find the inspiration phase of a breath; and   stimulating the phrenic nerve via the stimulation electrode after the beginning of the inspiration phase, said stimulation magnitude being sufficient to still the diaphragm resulting in a substantial amount of air trapped in at least one lung, said stimulation duration being sufficient to reduce breathing rate of the patient.